Embossing sheet metal



May 3, 1932. w PANNlER, JR 1,856,928

EMBOSSING SHEET METAL Filed Aug. 16, 1930 2 Sheets-Shet 1 ATTORNEY y 3, 1932- w. J PANNIER, JR 1,356,928

EMBQSSING SHEET METAL Filed Aug. 16, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A v v V V L 25 INVE'NTOR. i I BY ATTORNEY Patented May 3, 1932 UNITED STAT-es P rena Y'HFEQE WILLIAM .3. Panama, an, or rrrrsnUnc-H, remismva i, assrs non TO: BAN-MER- BROTHERS STAMP COMPANY, or rrrrsnunsn, rnnnsvnvanm, A. CORPORATION or PENNSYLVANIA nnieossme SHEET METAL Application filed August 16, 1930. Serial No. 475,765.

My invention refers to the art of-embossing' or stamping'sheet metal or the like, and consists of an improvement in themeans for practicing it.

In the usual practice of'stamping or embossing tags, plates, boxes, containers, etc. of sheet metal, it is customary to subject the sheet metal blank to the action-of deforming male and femaledies. These may be of metal having corresponding projecting and recessed portions, or of individual typeme'mhers-and a co-acting matrix, or other equa lly expensive and complicated means, whereby to stamp the blank conformably when subjected to pressure between suchpair' of male and female members.

In my present improvement I utilizea pair of sheet metal embossing dies which themselves have been first deformed by subjection to pressure between deforming male and female type or other equivalent means soas to produce in the sheet metal coacting and interfitting male and female character forming dies. l3he sheet metal embossingdies thus formed, of suitably strong and resistant metal, are then used, when suitably mounted, as embossingelements on interposed sheet metal blanks.

In the drawings, showing one preferred embodiment of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a perspective assembly View showing the several co-operating members of an operative installation for practicing my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View showing the parts in operative relation when closed;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the resulting embossed units;

Fig. l is a plan view'o-f one of the embossing sheet metal blanks before being subjected to the deforming operation of the initial character developing dies Fig. 5 is a diagrammaticview showing two such sheet metal members in closed relationship prior to such deforming: treatment Fig.6 is a similar view showing the embossing plates as deformed, and illustrating the maleand female deforming 'die'sand' their action thereon;

Fig. 7'is asimilar viewshowing the sides of the deformed embossing-blanks bent upwardly and downwardly for attachment to the operatingpressmembers;

Fig. 8 is a similar view showing the deformed sheet metal die members'attached to the press members inoperative relationship;

Fig. 9' is a'similar view showing the embossing members thus mounted and separated, witha sheet metal blank between them ready for embossing;

Fig. 10 is a similar view showing the sheet metal blank after being embossed;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional detail view on the line X1'XI of Fig. 2 at one end thereof;

Fig. 12 is a similar View at the opposite end thereof.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the reciprocable head in operative relationship to-the lower stationary anvil or base B, 'of' a'stamping or embossing machine or press. Slida-bly or otherwise mounted in said members, as by tongue and groove engagement 2, for easy placement and removal, are the upper coacting pressing heads a: and lower supporting anvil or base member head b.

Both the reciprocable head a and the stationary head 6 areprovided at opposite sides with plates 3 secured by screws 4 or otherwise, for the purpose of confining between them and the oppositeend facesofeach head, the active; sheet metal male andfemale embossing plates C and: B respectively, constructed and adapted to operate in the m"anner hereinafter described.

Each of said sheet metal members C and D is originally fiat, of the form shown in Fig. 4:, one being the counter-part of the other, with. lateral oppositely located flange members 5radap'ted to be bent reverseiy' in opposite directions on: the line '6 at right angles to the main middle portion C or D, asshown.

Confin-ing plates 3 are underwrit, as indicated at 7, providing just s ufiicient clearance between them and the side faces of. heads C and D to receive the flanges 5 when in"- serted, the plates 3- beinginwardly beveled, 1

as at 8, to facilitate and guide their entrance.

Flanges 5 are provided with openings 9 suitably located to register with the interlocking balls 10 mounted in sockets 11 against springs 12, which tend to normally thrust the balls outwardly, allowing them to recede when the edges of flanges 5 are inserted, and to spring outwardly in interlocking engagement with holes 9 when the embossing plates are inserted, as in Fig. 2.

In such position the embossing plates will thus be oppositely held with their inner middle fiat faces in direct bearing engagement against the heads a and b, and to be thus maintained in continuously operative relationship to each other for opening and closing towards and from the interposed sheet metal blank E, Fig. 9.

For the purpose of providing a somewhat resilient cushion mounting for the female plate member D, I utilize a bedding or base 13 of rubber or the like, against which the plate D bears, so as to provide interposing resistance between it and the base member 6.

Bedding 13 is inserted in a suitable recess lat of head 6, and when the plate D is in interlocked position, as in Fig. 2, the female sheet metal die member is thus retained during operation.

In the diagrammatic views, Figs. 5 to 10 inclusive, I show the successive steps of the several operations. 7

In providing the sheet metal embossing plates C and D with any desired configuration or character-forming projections and depressions, they are assembled in pairs, one closely against the other and subjected to the deforming action of a male type or die member 15 and a female type or die member 16. As many of such members are used, either in a complete assemblage, or sin ly by successive operations, as may be desired or preferable, so as to completely develop the entire series of embossing characters throughout so much of the area of plates 0 and D together, as will transmit to the sheet metal blanks to be operated upon, the desired embossing characters, as indicated in Fig. 3.

A sheet metal blank E, which may be in strip form such as that illustrated in prior patent of Oscar M. Pannier No. 1,764,884, or in any other suitable form, either connected or singly, is interposed between the embossing plates C and D, with the die heads separated, as in Fig. 9.

l/Vith the embossing plates thus made and mounted, and with suitable feeding mecha nism adjusted to the speed of operation of the press, one blank after another may be quickly brought between the dies of the press, operated upon and then shifted for introduction of a new blank, each of which will thus produce the desired impression in a definite, clear and well defined manner.

In making the pairs of sheet metal plates C and D, the flanges as described are bent oppositely at right angles in the male and female members respectively. For the purpose of identifying the proper location of each member with respect to the other, in placing in the embossing machine, one particular corner of eachflange 5 is cut away or otherwise identified, as by the bevel cut 17, so that the operatormay avoid any mistake in quickly adjusting any pair of such embossing plates .to the press. By such means I positively prevent the possibility of locating the embossing plates in improper relationship, thereby avoiding any danger of non-registering with resulting mutilation or destruction.

To further ensure exact registering with each other, the side retaining plates 8 are closed at opposite ends, as at 18, 19, beyond the middle clearance space 7 for flanges 5. The special beveled or otherwise shaped corner 17 engages the end abutment 19 while the remaining corners of flanges 5 are preferably rounded, as at 20, for easy insertion in the slots 7, with vertical end bearing portions 21 engaging end abutments 18, as in Figs. 11 and 12.

By means of the above described construction, I am enabled to cheaply and quickly manufacture pairs of sheet metal embossing die members, each having its own individual characters or deforming projections and depressions, each of which pairs is capable of satisfactorily and efficiently embossing several thousand of the thin sheet metal blanks acted upon.

I thereby avoid and save the expense of making a large number of heavy dies in the manner now usually employed, and when worn out, any such particular pair of embossing plates may be readily reproduced in the same manner as above described.

The advantages of the invention and its adaptation to a great variety and range of work will be readily understood and appreci ated by all those familiar with the operation of embossing sheet metal. It may be adapted to a great variety of characters, letters, figures, or the like, and is continuously eflicient and operative. The invention is in no way limited as to size, design, or other particular features as described and illustrated, and may be changed or varied by the skilled mechanic in adapting it to its intended use, within the scope ofthe following claims.

l/Vhat I claim is: p I

1. Embossing members for action on sheet metal consisting of a pair of sheet metal die members, one having projections and the other having corresponding registering depressions, and quickly detachable resilient'interlocking means for mounting said die members in operative relation to each other.

2. Embossing members for action on sheet metal consisting of a pair of sheet metal die members, one having projections and the other having corresponding registering depressions and each having a pair of attaching flanges, and means resiliently engaging said flanges.

3. Embossing members for action on sheet metal consisting of a pair of sheet metal die members, one having projections and the other having corresponding registering depressions and each having a common characteristic element to ensure matching in operative relationship.

at. In combination with the stamping head of a press having a middle bearing face and transversely arranged retaining plates at opposite sides, a sheet metal embossing die having deformed characters and rectangular flanges inserted between the head and said plates.

5. In combination with a stamping head of a press having a middle bearing face and transversely arranged retaining plates at opposite sides, a sheet metal embossing die having deformed characters and rectangular flanges inserted between the head and said plates, and means preventing endwise move ment of the die.

6. In combination with the stamping head of a press having a middle bearing face and retaining plates at opposite vsides and outwardly pressed locking devices, a sheet metal embossing die having flanges inserted between the head and said plates and provided with openings registering with said locking devices.

7. In combination with the stamping head of a press having a middle bearing face and retaining plates at opposite sides having limiting abutments, a sheet metal embossing die having flanges inserted between the head and said plates and engaging said abutments.

S. In combination with the stamping head of a press having a middle bearing face and retaining plates at opposite sides and spring mounted balls in said sides, a sheet metal embossing die having flanges inserted between the head and said plates and provided with openings registering with said balls for interlocking engagement therewith.

9. In combination with the stationary and movable members respectively of a press, heads therefor each having retaining plates at opposite sides and resiliently mounted retaining devices, a pair of embossing plates, one for each head having male and female deforming characters, and provided with terminal flanges for engagement with said retaining plates and devices.

10. In combination with the stationary and movable members respectively of a press, heads therefor each having retaining plates at opposite sides and resiliently mounted retaining devices, a pair of embossing plates. one for each head having male and female deforming characters, and provided with terminal flanges for engagement with said retaining plates and devices, one of said heads hit/ing a resisting bedding of rubber or the li e.

11. In combination with the stamping head of a press having a middle bearing face and retaining means at opposite sides embodying depressible holding devices, a sheet metal embossing die having quickly attachable and detachable edge portions engageable by said retaining means.

12. In combination with the stationary and movable members respectively of a press,

heads therefor each having retaining means at opposite sides embodying movable holding devices, a pair of sheet metal embossing plates, one for each member having male and female deforming characters and provided with quickly attachable and detachable edge portions engageable by said retaining means, one of said members having a resilient resistant bedding.

13. Embossing members for action on sheet metal consisting of the combination with operating members, of a pair of sheet metal die members, one having projections and the other having corresponding registering depressions and each having quickly detachable resilient interlocking means for separible attachment to one of the operating memers.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

WILLIAM J. PANNIER, JR. 

